yavat syad guna-vaisamyam

 tavan nanatvam atmanah

nanatvam atmano yavat

 paratantryam tadaiva hi

 

Translation: 

 

As long as the living entity thinks that the modes of material nature have separate existences, he will be obliged to take birth in many different forms and will experience varieties of material existence. Therefore, the living entity remains completely dependent on fruitive activities under the modes of nature.

 

Purport: 

 

The word guna-vaisamyam indicates forgetfulness of Lord Krsna, which causes one to see material varieties as separate states of existence. The living entity, being attracted to material varieties and having faith in them, is forced to experience these varieties in different material bodies, such as those of demigods, pigs, businessmen, insects, and so on. According to the karma-mimamsa philosophers, there is no transcendental living entity who is the background of all existence. They accept material variety as the final reality. However, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna, is the actual basis of everything. Everything is within Him, and He is within everything. A pure devotee of the Lord sees Krsna everywhere and sees all of the variegated modes of nature as the potency of Lord Krsna. One who does not see Lord Krsna will certainly see material variegatedness as the supreme reality. Such vision is called maya, or gross illusion, and is similar to the vision of an animal. Paratantryam means one will remain caught in the web of fruitive activities unless one gives up this superficial, separatist vision.